[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 219 (Friday, November 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63398-63400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30331]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-67-AD; Amendment 39-10871; AD 98-20-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-
A1 Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-20-18 that was sent previously 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of International Aero Engines 
(IAE) V2500-A1 series turbofan engines by individual letters. This AD 
requires, prior to further flight, removal from service of affected 
high pressure turbine (HPT) disks, identified by part number and serial 
number in the applicability paragraph of this AD, and replacement with 
a serviceable part. This amendment is prompted by a report of an 
uncontained HPT disk failure. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent an HPT disk fracture, an uncontained engine 
failure, and damage to the aircraft.


[[Page 63399]]


DATES: Effective November 30, 1998, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 98-20-
18, issued on September 14, 1998, which contained the requirements of 
this amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-67-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
the docket number in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Cook, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7133, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 14, 1998, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued priority letter airworthiness directive 
(AD) 98-20-18, applicable to International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A1 
series turbofan engines, which requires, prior to further flight, 
removal from service of affected high pressure turbine (HPT) disks, 
identified by part number and serial number in the applicability 
paragraph of this AD, and replacement with a serviceable part. That 
action was prompted by a report of an uncontained HPT disk failure on 
an IAE V2500-A1 series turbofan engine installed on an Airbus A320 
series aircraft. Preliminary investigation of the recovered HPT stage 1 
disk fracture surface indicates that the fracture initiated from a 
subsurface location in the disk bore area. The fractured part has been 
returned to IAE to continue the investigation. A review of 
manufacturing records has identified 6 additional HPT disks that were 
produced from the same or related material lot. There exists a 
possibility that these 6 disks produced from the same material lot 
could be similarly affected as the failed HPT disk. Therefore, the FAA 
has determined that these 6 disks must be immediately removed from 
service prior to further flight. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in an HPT disk fracture, an uncontained engine failure, 
and damage to the aircraft.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued priority 
letter AD 98-20-18 to prevent HPT disk fracture. The AD requires, prior 
to further flight, removal from service of affected HPT disks, 
identified by part number and serial number in the applicability 
paragraph of this AD, and replacement with a serviceable part.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on September 14, 1998, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
IAE V2500-A1 series turbofan engines. These conditions still exist, and 
the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 
Section 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
part 39) to make it effective to all persons.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-ANE-67-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-20-18  International Aero Engines: Amendment 39-10871. Docket 98-
ANE-67-AD.

    Applicability: International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A1 series 
turbofan engines, with high pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disks, 
part number (P/N) 2A1801, serial numbers (S/Ns) P100430, P100421, 
P100621, and P100618; HPT stage 1 disk, P/N 2A1101, S/

[[Page 63400]]

N P100346; and HPT stage 2 disk, P/N 2A0902, S/N P100381, installed. 
These engines are installed on Airbus A320 series aircraft.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an HPT disk fracture, an uncontained engine failure, 
and damage to the aircraft, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to further flight, remove from service and replace 
with a serviceable part the following affected HPT disks:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Engine on
           HPT disk                 P/N          S/N      which part may
                                                           be installed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stage 1.......................  2A1801.....  P100430....  V0122
                                2A1801.....  P100421....  V0134
                                2A1801.....  P100621....  V0137
                                2A1801.....  P100618....  V0149
                                2A1101.....  P100346....  Removed
Stage 2.......................  2A0902.....  P100381....  V0127
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (c) This amendment becomes effective November 30, 1998, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by priority letter AD 98-20-18, issued September 14, 1998, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 4, 1998.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30331 Filed 11-12-98; 8:45 am]
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